“Investigation of the Subunit and Lipid Interactions of the TIM23 Protein Transport Machinery of Mitochondria” will be presented by Dr. Nathan Alder, Associate Professor, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut.

Dr. Alder’s research program focuses on the structure, function, and biogenesis of mitochondrial membrane proteins and protein complexes. Using a host of biochemical, biophysical and structural techniques, this work addresses how protein transport complexes and respiratory complexes of the mitochondrial inner membrane assemble to perform their respective activities. Specifically, recent investigations of the TIM23 protein transport machinery reveal structural dynamics that are coupled to the energized state of the membrane and the important role of lipids in mediating protein transport activity and subunit interactions within the complex. This research has implications for understanding the basis of heritable diseases associated with protein and lipid biogenesis.